Dubai Culture - our initiatives

our initiatives

Soul of dubai

Another initiative by the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage - the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the 'Soul of Dubai' project aims at documenting the dynamic growth of the city as well as its cultural diversity, unique identity and heritage.

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) will host the fifth edition of Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre (DFYT) from Oct. 1 to 12, 2011.

The first and only one-of-its-kind initiative held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre focuses on promoting Emirati and Arab youth theatre talent.

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority wishes you a blessed Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan occupies the heart of every Muslim as it is the month of mercy and forgiveness where the gates of Heavens are open. The Muslim nation gives special reverence to Ramadan following suit the tradition of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and his Companions (al sahaba) who used to devote themselves for this month, rejoicing its advent, fasting its days and and abstaining from all misdeeds. They used to celebrate the nights of Ramadan through Qiyam-ul-Lail (Night Prayers) reciting the Quran, giving donations for the poor people and offering Iftar for the needy.

Arts Services

The latest addition to our programs aimed at identifying and nurturing young Emirati talents in visual arts, performing arts, film and literature, Arts Services is an all-encompassing approach to promoting emerging local talents, as well as sustaining and strengthening their career.

Celebrating “The Night of Mid – Sha’aban”

Denoting the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Hag Alilah falls on the 15th day of the month of Sha’aban, and is celebrated with gaiety in the UAE as in the rest of the Arab world. To mark the celebrations surrounding Hag Alilah, the Authority created small tote bags to replicate the UAE national attire of the male kandoora and female jalabeya and filled it with the traditional sweets, raw peanuts and salted chick peas. These tote bags were distributed by childern to the different government entities in Dubai to signify strengthened collaborations.

International Heritage Day Celebrations

a nation's Heritage is in its historical beginnings. It is a container that holds the sum of the human achievements and is the result ofpeople’s lives, beliefs, practices and work, within a certain time and area.

Sikka Art Fair

More than an art fair, SIKKA is a showcase of emerging Emirati and local talent. A first of its kind initiative by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) it celebrates the artworks of Emirati and local artists at Al Bastakiya from March 12 – 21, 2011.

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Outdoor Arts Project

In a first-of-its-kind initiative the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is proud to showcase artworks by upcoming Emirati artists celebrating the richness of the Emirati cultural identity. Dubai Culture brings art to the public and adorns the city through the Dubai Outdoor Art Project.

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Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts

The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts is an important new initiative that will recognise, celebrate and honour the generous contributions that inspire and enable Artists to develop their talents and invest in the cultural fabric of Dubai.

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Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre

This annual festival celebrates and fosters the art of theatre in the UAE. The festival invites participation from local theatre companies, universities, schools and cultural clubs and provides young actors, directors and playwrights in the UAE with a notable platform to showcase their talent.

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Dubai Next

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority in its role as an established governmental agency to encourage and sponsor dealings that contribute actively to the development of the cultural events and activities in Dubai showcased Dubai's aspirations in culture to an international audience at one of the world's most prestigious platforms, the Art Basel 39 art fair

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Gulf Film Festival

Dubai Culture recognises that a healthy film industry is necessary to take stories about Dubai's culture, traditions, history and contemporary lifestyle to the world.

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Khor Dubai

Dubai is a city that is constantly changing. There could be no better way to introduce it to the world than a living museum. The vision behind Khor Dubai is to create a living museum that celebrates the multicultural diversity of Dubai.

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Muhammad the Messenger Museum

Muhammad the Messenger Museum was announced on 12 April 2008 as the first project of its kind in the world to focus on and highlight the life and message of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him) and to address misconceptions about Islam.

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The Holy Lands

A collaboration had already been formed with the unique and creatively rich Reiss Engelhorn Museen of Mannheim to bring an exclusive collection of never before exhibited rare photographs to the region and more specifically Dubai.

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